APC Chieftain Slams Abia Government Over N210 Million Photocopier Budget Allocation
Prince Paul Ikonne, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, has issued a stern call for accountability following revelations of a substantial N210 million allocation earmarked for a photocopier in the state's 2026 budget. The former executive secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority expressed profound concern during a monitored radio program in Abuja, urging residents of Abia to remain vigilant and continuously scrutinize the financial management practices of Governor Alex Otti's administration.
Budget Discrepancy Raises Serious Transparency Questions
The controversy emerged when budgetary documents revealed an allocation of N210 million designated for photocopier procurement at the state's liaison office in Lagos. In response to public outcry, the Abia State Ministry of Budget and Planning dismissed the figure as a typographical error, attributing it to formatting issues within the budget document. However, Prince Ikonne has challenged this explanation, describing it as indicative of deeper financial irregularities within the state government.
"This is precisely how public funds are quietly misappropriated," Ikonne declared. "Had Abians not been attentive enough to question this allocation, this enormous sum would have simply vanished without proper justification." The APC leader emphasized that such discrepancies raise fundamental questions about the integrity of financial oversight mechanisms in a state led by a governor with extensive banking and financial management experience.
Pattern of Financial Inconsistencies Under Scrutiny
Prince Ikonne pointed to what he described as a troubling pattern of budgetary errors within the Otti administration, recalling a previous incident where approximately N1.2 billion was reportedly marked as another typographical error related to Hilux vehicle purchases. He questioned how a government that consistently presents itself as technocratically managed could repeatedly commit such costly mistakes in official financial documents.
The APC chieftain further highlighted the practical implausibility of the budget figures, noting that even high-end photocopiers used by commercial business centers along Pound Road in Aba—which handle substantial document volumes daily—do not approach the N12 million figure that the government claims was intended. He expressed particular concern about how such discrepancies would be reconciled as budget implementation commences.
Broader Concerns About Financial Management and Project Implementation
Beyond the immediate photocopier controversy, Prince Ikonne raised alarms about other potential financial irregularities that may have gone unnoticed during Governor Otti's two-and-a-half-year tenure. He specifically mentioned concerns about:
- Alleged expenditure of approximately N100 billion on smart schools that remain largely invisible to the public
- The controversial N7 billion recreational center project that appears to exist primarily on social media platforms
- Questions about how federal allocations received under President Bola Tinubu's policies are being utilized
"The Otti administration is rapidly developing a reputation for financial inconsistencies, budget padding, and attempts to divert the common resources of Abia people under the convenient guise of administrative errors," Ikonne asserted during his radio appearance.
Accusations of Undermining Local Government Autonomy
In related developments, Prince Ikonne has previously accused Governor Otti of deliberately undermining local government autonomy in defiance of both President Tinubu's directives and Supreme Court rulings on the matter. During an appearance on Television Continental's Politics Tonight program, the APC chieftain alleged that the Abia governor was working to alter existing laws or introduce new legislation that would enable continued state control over local government funds.
This broader context of governance concerns adds weight to Ikonne's current criticisms regarding budgetary transparency. The APC leader has positioned himself as a vocal watchdog, calling for increased citizen engagement and oversight of government financial practices in Abia State.
The unfolding controversy highlights ongoing tensions between political factions in Abia while raising fundamental questions about fiscal responsibility, transparency mechanisms, and accountability in state governance. As budget implementation approaches, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the administration addresses these concerns and whether substantive reforms emerge to prevent similar controversies in the future.
